Patents by Inventor Zachary Alexander Merrill

Zachary Alexander Merrill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10106195
    Abstract: A system for wheel alignment is provided including adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust. A sleeve is fitted over the spindle of an axle. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the spindle provides for adjustments to wheel alignment while a locking feature such as e.g., a pin, is used to maintain the selected position of the sleeve relative to the spindle. The available positions of the sleeve relative to the spindle are predetermined in order to provide for discrete, known adjustments to the alignment of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Zachary Alexander Merrill, Matthew J. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20180245646
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle is provided that includes and axle and an articulating brake component mounting plate carried by the axle. The articulating brake component mounting plate has an inner portion and an outer portion, and the position of the outer portion is adjustable with respect to the inner portion. Either the inner portion or the outer portion defines an adjustment nut aperture. An adjustment nut is located in the adjustment nut aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventor: ZACHARY ALEXANDER MERRILL
  • Publication number: 20180178842
    Abstract: A system for wheel alignment is provided including adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust. A sleeve is fitted over the spindle of an axle. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the spindle provides for adjustments to wheel alignment while a locking feature such as e.g., a pin, is used to maintain the selected position of the sleeve relative to the spindle. The available positions of the sleeve Crelative to the spindle are predetermined in order to provide for discrete, known adjustments to the alignment of the wheel. Numerous positions can be provided based on the range and magnitude of adjustability selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Alexander Merrill, Matthew J. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20180009479
    Abstract: A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: ZACHARY ALEXANDER MERRILL
  • Publication number: 20180009478
    Abstract: A system for wheel alignment is provided including adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust. A sleeve is fitted over the spindle of an axle. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the spindle provides for adjustments to wheel alignment while a locking feature such as e.g., a pin, is used to maintain the selected position of the sleeve relative to the spindle. The available positions of the sleeve relative to the spindle are predetermined in order to provide for discrete, known adjustments to the alignment of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Alexander Merrill, Matthew J. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20170341478
    Abstract: A system for wheel alignment provides an indexable pair of washers in conjunction with a sleeve having non-concentric inner and outer surfaces that allow for adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust. The system can be retrofitted to existing axle systems using a sleeve that fits over the spindle of the axle. Rotation of the sleeve relative to the spindle provides for adjustment to wheel alignment. The indexable washers can be used to determine the precise amount of adjustment and fix the position of the sleeve once adjusted. The system can be implemented regardless of the circumferential position (i.e. azimuthal orientation) of a keyway or groove on the axle spindle that is typically used to lock the position of the axle nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Zachary Alexander Merrill, Matthew J. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20170247055
    Abstract: A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: ZACHARY ALEXANDER MERRILL, MATTHEW J. HANLON
  • Publication number: 20170240206
    Abstract: A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: ZACHARY ALEXANDER MERRILL, MATTHEW J HANLON
  • Patent number: 9566827
    Abstract: A tire work stand comprises a frame for supporting the work stand on a ground surface and for attaching a set of components to the tire work stand. A plurality of rollers is attached to the frame to support a tire above the ground surface and to permit rotation of a tire during inspection of the tire. A ramp is configured to have a first ramp end capable of extending from the ground surface and a second ramp end extending to a position proximal to the frame. A bridge is configured to have a first bridge end extending from the second ramp end and a second bridge end extending to a position proximal to a surface of at least one of the rollers, wherein the bridge acts to inhibit rotation of the roller during loading of the tire and further permits rotation of the tire after the tire has been loaded on the tire work stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Hodges, Zachary Alexander Merrill
  • Patent number: 9555673
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically adjusting the air pressure of a tire based on variations in loading to improve tread wear. For a particular loading of the tire, the system provides for the determination of a preferred air pressure setting designed to minimize tread wear. This preferred air pressure, Pp, is determined from an analysis of the longitudinal stresses that occur within the contact patch of the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Dave Michael McKibben, Zachary Alexander Merrill, Lawrence Otis Williamson, Wayne Carl Yount
  • Publication number: 20160046148
    Abstract: A tire work stand comprises a frame for supporting the work stand on a ground surface and for attaching a set of components to the tire work stand. A plurality of rollers is attached to the frame to support a tire above the ground surface and to permit rotation of a tire during inspection of the tire. A ramp is configured to have a first ramp end capable of extending from the ground surface and a second ramp end extending to a position proximal to the frame. A bridge is configured to have a first bridge end extending from the second ramp end and a second bridge end extending to a position proximal to a surface of at least one of the rollers, wherein the bridge acts to inhibit rotation of the roller during loading of the tire and further permits rotation of the tire after the tire has been loaded on the tire work stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis D. HODGES, Zachary Alexander MERRILL
  • Patent number: 9199511
    Abstract: A tire work stand comprises a frame for supporting the work stand on a ground surface and for attaching a set of components to the tire work stand. A plurality of rollers is attached to the frame to support a tire above the ground surface and to permit rotation of a tire during inspection of the tire. A ramp is configured to have a first ramp end capable of extending from the ground surface and a second ramp end extending to a position proximal to the frame. A bridge is configured to have a first bridge end extending from the second ramp end and a second bridge end extending to a position proximal to a surface of at least one of the rollers, wherein the bridge acts to inhibit rotation of the roller during loading of the tire and further permits rotation of the tire after the tire has been loaded on the tire work stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Hodges, Zachary Alexander Merrill
  • Publication number: 20150239303
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically adjusting the air pressure of a tire based on variations in loading to improve tread wear. For a particular loading of the tire, the system provides for the determination of a preferred air pressure setting designed to minimize tread wear. This preferred air pressure, Pp, is determined from an analysis of the longitudinal stresses that occur within the contact patch of the tread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Dave Michael McKibben, Zachary Alexander Merrill, Lawrence Otis Williamson, Wayne Carl Yount
  • Patent number: 9045012
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically adjusting the air pressure of a tire based on variations in loading to improve tread wear. For a particular loading of the tire, the system provides for the determination of a preferred air pressure setting designed to minimize tread wear. This preferred air pressure, Pp, is determined from an analysis of the longitudinal stresses that occur within the contact patch of the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE SED ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Dave Michael McKibben, Zachary Alexander Merrill, Lawrence Otis Williamson, Wayne Carl Yount
  • Publication number: 20140084530
    Abstract: A tire work stand comprises a frame for supporting the work stand on a ground surface and for attaching a set of components to the tire work stand. A plurality of rollers is attached to the frame to support a tire above the ground surface and to permit rotation of a tire during inspection of the tire. A ramp is configured to have a first ramp end capable of extending from the ground surface and a second ramp end extending to a position proximal to the frame. A bridge is configured to have a first bridge end extending from the second ramp end and a second bridge end extending to a position proximal to a surface of at least one of the rollers, wherein the bridge acts to inhibit rotation of the roller during loading of the tire and further permits rotation of the tire after the tire has been loaded on the tire work stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Dennis D. HODGES, Zachary Alexander Merrill
  • Publication number: 20130190979
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically adjusting the air pressure of a tire based on variations in loading to improve tread wear. For a particular loading of the tire, the system provides for the determination of a preferred air pressure setting designed to minimize tread wear. This preferred air pressure, Pp, is determined from an analysis of the longitudinal stresses that occur within the contact patch of the tread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: William Bennett Clayton, Dave Michael McKibben, Zachary Alexander Merrill, Lawrence Otis Williamson, Wayne Carl Yount
  • Publication number: 20110181011
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the camber of a vehicle's axle comprising attaching collars to the axle of the vehicle attaching links to the collars, introducing a deflection in the axle in a concave downward direction and modifying the length of the links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., SOCIETE DE TECHNOLOGIE MICHELIN
    Inventor: Zachary Alexander Merrill